In a move that it says has been considered for a long period of time, the Department of Athletics has terminated the University’s diving program, Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz told the Hatchet today. Kvancz said the fact that there are no plans for a diving well and board at the renovated Smith Center pool led to the decision.

There were just two members on the diving team this year, both sophomores who will continue to receive scholarships until they graduate. Diving coach Mike Tober will not be kept on, though he will be paid through June.

Kvancz said the current state of the economy played a small factor in the decision, but the program would have likely been canceled at some point anyway.

“You can blame the (economic) climate if you want but this thing had been talked about long before the economy went to hell,” Kvancz said. “Did it play a role? Of course. We probably would have done it sooner rather than later anyway though.”

Look for a full story in Thursday’s Hatchet.